.45 230gr RNL Inaccurate?

Quick questions:
Based on y'all's experience shooting .45ACP, are 230gr RNL or FMJ bullets inherently less accurate than SWC's? Is there any particular bullet shape and weight that is inherently the most accurate?

I would say that there is no practical difference in accuracy when equal quality bullets are used.

For punching paper I prefer the SWC in a 200 grain weight. They cut clean holes in the target, and loaded lightly the recoil is very light.

For the very best in accuracy I have found that quality hollow points and swaged SWC bullets are the ticket. I don't know why but good hollowpoints are very accurate, and the swaged bullets are very very consistent in weight and balance.

Gregg28

June 14, 2005, 08:40 AM

I may be wrong, but as HSmith stated:

"there is no practical difference in accuracy when equal quality bullets are used."

Some people claim that hollow points are more accurate. I suppose that is because there is more mass further out in the bullet, creating more stabilization as the bullet spins.

That being said, the heavier weight and typically higher powder loadings do reduce accuracy. Maybe slightly less inherent accuracy as tested by a Ransom Rest, but significantly less actual accuracy when shot by mere mortals. This is due to higher recoil and increased anticipation and flinching.

Gregg

Archie

June 14, 2005, 06:27 PM

MuzzleBlast: Based on y'all's experience shooting .45ACP, are 230gr RNL or FMJ bullets inherently less accurate than SWC's?The short answer is "No". Different pistols 'differ', of course but any well made bullet is about as able to take rifling and stabilize as any other. SWC bullets cut nice, clean holes and are to count and score on paper, but full charge hardball ammo can be very accurate.

MuzzleBlast: Is there any particular bullet shape and weight that is inherently the most accurate?I've never seen any real evidence of that. Some poorly designed bullets may be inaccurate, or the alloy may be too hard or too soft to properly take the rifling, but I don't know of any information that would lead me to believe one 'shape' is more accurate than another.

Hollowbased wadcutters are popular in .38 caliber revolvers and pistols. It is a very accurate round. If anything is the most accurate, I'd put my money on a hollowbase, full wadcutter. However, I don't know of one suitable for .45 ACP

Bullets lighter than 230 grain recoil a bit less. Certainly a 185 grain SWC with a light charge is not going to be as abusive in recoil as a full hardball load. That factor may enable one to shoot more accurately over a longer period of time. (I know it helps me!) This is not to say the lighter bullet is more accurate, it's just easier to shoot.